Gear synchronized dual axis pivot hinge

- Dell Products L.P.

A portable information handling system supports a flexible OLED display film over housing portions rotationally coupled by a hinge by folding the OLED display film over the hinge. Hinge brackets that couple to the housing portions each have a gear member with a semicircular shape gear inner circumference that engages a gear subassembly of the hinge main body. Hinge bracket rotation translates through the gear subassembly for synchronized housing rotation. The hinge main body has first and second semicircular portions with a smooth surface defined to accept the outer circumference smooth surface of the gear member semicircular shape at first and second rotation axes about which the hinge brackets pivot so that the display film has space to fold in the closed position.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  ·  References Cited  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/530,367, filed Aug. 2, 2019, entitled “Gear Synchronized Dual Axis Pivot Hinge,” naming Christopher A. Torres, Kevin M. Turchin, Enoch Chen, Anthony J. Sanchez, Kai-Cheng Chao, Chia-Hao Hsu, and Chia-Huang Chan as inventors, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/530,377, filed Aug. 2, 2019, entitled “Synchronized Dual Axis Pivot Hinge” by inventors Christopher A. Torres, Kevin M. Turchin, Enoch Chen, An Szu Hsu, Hsu Hong Yao, and Yuan Ming Lin, Attorney, describes exemplary methods and systems and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to the field of portable information handling system hinges, and more particularly to an information handling system synchronized dual axis pivot hinge.

Description of the Related Art

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

Portable information handling systems integrate processing components, a display and a power source in a portable housing to support mobile operations. Portable information handling systems allow end users to carry a system between meetings, during travel, and between home and office locations so that an end user has access to processing capabilities while mobile. Convertible information handling system configurations typically include multiple separate housing portions that couple to each other so that the system converts between closed and open positions. The closed position provides a smaller footprint for storing, protecting and carrying the information handling system. In some conventional systems, the open position holds a display in a viewing position and expose a keyboard for accepting keyed inputs. For example, a main housing portion integrates processing components and a keyboard and rotationally couples with hinges to a lid housing portion that integrates a display. In a clamshell configuration, the lid housing portion rotates approximately ninety degrees to a raised position above the main housing portion so that an end user can type inputs while viewing the display. After usage, convertible information handling systems rotate the lid housing portion over the main housing portion to protect the keyboard and display.

Recently, the availability of organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays has generated interest is convertible information handling systems that fold an OLED display to achieve a closed position. OLED displays integrate OLED material in a film that is flexible so that an OLED display disposed over both the main and lid housing portions can fold at the hinge that rotationally couples the housing portions together. In an unfolded configuration with the housing portions in a parallel plane, the OLED display provides a tablet configuration with a larger surface area for viewing information. In a partially folded configuration with the housing portions in a perpendicular orientation, one portion of the OLED display is positioned vertically to present visual images while the other portion is positioned horizontally to accept typed inputs at a virtual keyboard presented by the display. Avoiding the use of an integrated keyboard tends to reduce the thickness and weight of the system for improved mobility.

One difficulty that arises with integration of a foldable OLED display in a convertible information handling system is that OLED films are susceptible to breakage if folded at too sharp of an angle. A variety of display support arrangements exist that attempt to alleviate such breakages by avoiding tensile and compressive stresses on the OLED film during folding and unfolding. One technique is to use a conventional dual axis gear-synchronized hinge that forms a space between the axes in which the OLED film may fold at a natural angle. A difficulty with this approach is that a large space between the axes increases the thickness of the information handling system. Another difficulty with this approach is that the circumference of the display on the inside of a folded housing shrinks relative to the circumference of the outside of the housing. To correct for this effect, the hinge area has to provide room for the OLED film to expand or the OLED film has to slide relative to the housing at each housing end opposite the hinge. In addition, some support typically has to be added under the OLED film so that presses on the OLED film over the hinge, such as finger or stylus touch inputs, will not create stress at the OLED film.

One alternative to using a dual axle geared hinge is a single axis pivot hinge. The single axis pivot hinge has a central body that acts as a support under the OLED film in the open position and two arms that rotate about a central axis of the central body between closed and open positions. In the closed position, the two arms leave space between each other to allow the OLED film to fold. To support motion of the two arms about the single axis, the base of the arms follow an arc path at the backside of the central body. Although a single axis pivot hinge provides a support surface to hold the OLED film in the open configuration, the support surface remains fixed in position relative to the OLED film, which limits the room available for the OLED film to expand as the housing inner circumference is reduced in the closed position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a need has arisen for a system and method which provides a synchronized dual axis pivot hinge to rotationally couple information handling system housing portions having flexible display film.

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are provided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with previous methods and systems for supporting a flexible display over a hinge that rotationally-couples portable housing portions together. A hinge assembly rotates opposing brackets about dual axes to define a pivot motion that translates opposing housing portions up and away from the hinge assembly to maintain a fold radius of a flexible display film disposed over the hinge assembly. A fold region defined below the dual axes provides additional room for a flexible display film to fold below the plane on which the display film rests in an open position.

More specifically, an information handling system processes information with processing components disposed in a housing, such as central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions and a random access memory (RAM) that stores the information and instructions. The housing has first and second portions rotationally coupled to each other by a dual axis pivot hinge assembly that has opposing brackets coupled to opposing housing portions and pivotally rotating about a hinge main body. In one embodiment, the hinge main body has first and second adjacent semicircular portions along a length with each semicircular portion defining a rotation path of an adjacent bracket through a helical member extending from the bracket and engaging a helical guide defined within the semicircular portion. Rotation of a bracket synchronizes with rotation of an opposing bracket by translating rotational movement through a sliding motion of the helical guide. In an alternative embodiment, a gear subassembly synchronizes rotation of opposing brackets through a gear member that extends from each bracket and into the hinge main housing. The gear member has gear teeth formed along an inner circumference and a smooth surface along an outer circumference. As motion of a bracket slides the smooth portion about a semicircular portion formed in the hinge main housing, teeth of the inner circumference engage with the gear subassembly to translate motion to the other bracket. Translation of motion to synchronize brackets relies upon a planetary gear arrangement that effectively increases the distance of the bracket from the main hinge during rotation to adapt a flexible display film disposed over the hinge assembly to the inner circumference formed by the housing portions. The helical member and helical guide interaction provides similar bracket synchronization and pivotal rotation about dual axes without including gears.

The present invention provides a number of important technical advantages. One example of an important technical advantage is that a portable information handling system rotationally couples separate housing portions to rotate with dual pivot arms, each about a separate axis. The hinge reduces system height with a concealed synchronized sliding cam mechanism and integrated variable torque elements. In an open position, hinge support portions raise to the OLED film height to provide support against touch inputs made at the display touchscreen. In the closed position, the hinge support portions rotate to a lower height that provides room for the flexible display film to fold without inducing tensile or compressive stress. The mono-hinge construction provides a robust solution that withstands repeated open and close cycles and that offers stable cable routing between the housing portions, such as for routing flexible cables to communicate information and power.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element.

FIG. 1 depicts an upper perspective view of a hinge assembly having a dual axis pivot that defines a flexible display film fold region;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the hinge assembly in an open position having display supports extending upward at a central location of the main body;

FIG. 3 depicts an upper perspective view of the hinge assembly having a dual axis pivot with opposing brackets rotated to a closed position that defines a fold region;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the hinge assembly in a closed position having display supports withdrawn into a central location of the main body and the brackets rotated to define the fold region;

FIG. 5 depicts a lower perspective view of the bottom of the hinge assembly in an open position;

FIGS. 6A through 6G depict a series of side views of folding of a flexible display film across a multi-axis hinge with pivoting of brackets to define a fold region;

FIG. 7 depicts an upper perspective cutaway view of interactions between helical members of brackets coupled to the hinge assembly and helical guides defined within the main body of the hinge assembly;

FIG. 8 depicts an upper perspective cutaway view of the brackets rotated in a synchronized manner to a closed position coordinated by action of the sliding cams;

FIG. 9 depicts a lower perspective cutaway view of interactions between the helical members and the helical guides defined by the sliding cams;

FIG. 10 depicts an exploded view of a hinge assembly that synchronizes bracket movement though helical member engagement with helical guides;

FIG. 11 depicts a side perspective view of an end of the hinge assembly having torque to resist bracket rotation communicated from a torque element through torque arms;

FIGS. 12A and 12B depict a side cutaway view that compares a fold region provided by a single axis pivot hinge and a dual axis pivot hinge;

FIG. 13 depicts an upper perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a dual axis pivot hinge in an open position having bracket motion synchronized by a gear subassembly;

FIG. 14 depicts an upper perspective view of the dual axis pivot hinge rotated to a closed position with brackets synchronized by the gear subassembly;

FIGS. 15A and 15B depict a side cutaway view of a comparison of bracket pivot movement with a dual axis and single axis hinge assembly;

FIG. 16 depicts an exploded perspective view of a hinge assembly having a dual axis pivot synchronized by a gear subassembly;

FIG. 17 depicts a top cutaway view of an information handling system having opposing housing portions rotationally coupled by a dual axes pivot hinge assembly;

FIG. 18A, a side cutaway view depicts a flexible cable interface between housing portions and across a hinge assembly rotated to an open position;

FIG. 18B depicts an example of copper distribution at a flexible cable that extends across a multi-axis pivot hinge; and

FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C depict a side cutaway view of a flexible cable interface response to rotation of a housing portion from the open to a closed position.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An information handling system hinge pivots about dual axes to define a fold region that provides space for a flexible display film to fold as the hinge rotates to a closed position. For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an upper perspective view depicts a hinge assembly 10 having a dual axis pivot that defines a flexible display film fold region. Hinge assembly 10 is constructed of a main body 12 that extends along a length, such as a length sufficient to extend between opposing sides of a portable information handling system having rotationally coupled housing portions. A set of opposed brackets 14 are disposed at opposing sides of main body 12 and an idler bracket 16 is disposed between main brackets 14. Each of brackets 12 and idler brackets 16 include attachment points 18 that accept a coupling to an information handling system housing, such as openings through which bolts or screws insert. In the example embodiment, brackets 14 and idler brackets 16 have rotated to an open position, such as supports a tablet configuration of a portable information handling system that has rotationally coupled housing portions disposed in a common plane. Display film supports 20, such as for an OLED display film, extend upwards from a central position of main body 12 along its length. Specifically, display film supports 20 extend upward between first and second semicircular portions 22 defined parallel to each other along the length of main body 12. Each semicircular portion 22 defines an axis of rotation about which brackets 14 and idler brackets 16 pivot, as set forth in greater detail below.

Brackets 14 each rotate substantially ninety degrees from the depicted open position to a closed position that folds a flexible display film disposed over hinge assembly 10 within a fold region defined between brackets 14. A torque element 24 couples to each opposing end of main body 12 and includes friction devices that generate torque in opposition to rotational movement. A torque arm 26 rotationally couples to torque element 24 and engages with bracket 14 so that rotation of bracket 14 is resisted with torque provided by torque element 24 and translated through torque arm 26. A hinge cover attachment feature 28 couples at a central location of torque element 24 to accept a protective and/or decorative cover of an information handling system assembly. As described below in greater detail, opposing brackets 14 have a synchronized motion driven through interactions with semicircular portions 22 so that movement of one bracket 14 is translated to the opposing bracket 14 with a torque provided by torque element 24.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side view of hinge assembly 10 depicts an open position having display supports 20 extending upward at a central location of main body 12. The upper surface of brackets 14 define a support plane for a flexible display film with display film supports 20 extending upward to the display film support plane. In the open position of brackets 14, display supports 20 have an upper surface that aligns with the display film support plane. Torque element 24 has opposing first and second rotational attachment points at which first and second torque arms 26 rotationally couple. Torque arms 26 translate torque from torque element 24 to resist rotational movement of brackets 14. Hinge cover attachment feature 28 provides a central attachment location for a protective and/or decorative housing feature.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an upper perspective view depicts a hinge assembly 10 having a dual axis pivot with opposing brackets 14 rotated to a closed position that defines a fold region 42. In the closed position, brackets 14 extend upward and away from main body 12 with motion defined by engagement of a helical member 30 extending from each bracket 14 with a sliding rotational pivot defined by a semicircular portion 22. The upward movement by bracket 14 away from main body 12 with rotation to the closed position from the open position adapts housing portion relative positions so that an inner circumference of the information handling system housing matches the length of a folded display film. Helical member 30 engages with a helical guide formed in main body 12 while an alignment ridge 32 extending from helical member 30 engages with an alignment guided to maintain the relative position of brackets 14 at main body 12. In the closed position, display film supports 20 retract into main body 12 so that a display film folded in fold region 42 has additional room to adopt its natural folded state without tensile or compressive stress. Idler brackets 16 provide additional stiffness to hinge assembly 10 that further help to minimize flexure and warpage of a display film during changes in housing positions by rotation of hinge assembly 10 between the open and closed positions.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view depicts hinge assembly 10 in a closed position having display film supports 20 withdrawn into a central location of main body 12 and brackets 14 rotated to define fold region 42. In the example embodiment, the size of fold region 42 is effectively increased by withdrawal of display film supports 20. Helical members 30 rotate out of main body 12 with semicircular shape that matches the shape of semicircular portions 22, resulting in a pivot motion of bracket 14. Each bracket 14 pivots about its own rotation axis, defined by the semicircular portion 22 in which the bracket 14 helical member 30 couples. As a result of the dual axis pivot movement of brackets 14, information handling system housing portions coupled with brackets 14 move in a controlled manner about folding region 42 relative to a stable main body 14 so that cables, thermal components, mechanical structures and other internal system components function through a full 180 degrees of motion between the depicted closed position and the tablet open position of FIG. 1 without damage or interruption. Hinge assembly 10 provides robust mono-hinge construction for coupling of mobile housing portions to meet hinge cycling and bending constraints within a minimal-sized housing.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a lower perspective view depicts the bottom of hinge assembly 10 in an open position. A back cover 34 forms the back side of main body 12 and defines channels 36 through which cables can pass across hinge assembly 10. For example, back cover 34 fixes cables in place as the cables pass through hinge assembly 10 to avoid damage and define flex regions for the cables outside of hinge assembly 10 where reinforcement may be applied to ensure cable integrity.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A through 6G, a series of side views depict folding of a flexible display film across a multi-axis hinge with pivoting of brackets to define a fold region. In a fully open position depicted by FIG. 6A, a flexible display film is supported over a flexible support surface to accept touch inputs in a tablet mode of operation. Flexible display supports 20 extend upwards in a middle position of hinge assembly 10 to provide support against flexible display support 40. FIG. 6B depicts rotation of hinge assembly 10 from the 180 degree open position of FIG. 6A to a 150 degree open position in which flexible display supports 20 retract somewhat into hinge assembly 10, providing room for flexible display support 40 to bend and separate from flexible display film 38. As the housing rotation angle continues to increase in FIGS. 6C and 6D, fold region 42 is defined within hinge assembly 10 to provide room for flexible display film 38 to fold in a natural manner without tensile or compressive stress. Continuing to FIGS. 6E, 6F and 6G, as hinge assembly 10 completes closure of opposing housing portions to a substantially parallel relationship, fold region 42 provides room for flexible display film 38 to fold below the plane defined by flexible display film 38 in the open position of FIG. 6A. The additional space is defined by the bracket 14 movement about separate rotational axes, which provides a pivot motion about fold region 42.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an upper perspective cutaway view depicts interactions between helical members 30 of brackets coupled to hinge assembly 10 and helical guides 44 defined within main body 12 of hinge assembly 10. Helical guides 44 are defined between an inner sliding cam 46 and an outer sliding cam 48. As either bracket 14 rotates, its helical member 30 works against the cam surface of sliding cams 46 and 48 to change the position of sliding cams 46 and 48, which slide back and forth along the length of main body 12. Changes in the position of sliding cams 46 and 48 caused by one bracket 14 helical member 30 translates to the opposing bracket 14 helical member 30 through movement of sliding cams 46 and 48, which causes synchronized rotation of the opposing brackets 14. At the ends of each helical member 30, an extension protrudes out of helical guide 44 to act as a flexible display film support 20. In the example embodiment, the relative position of each flexible display support 20 along the length of main body 12 to distribute support along the display film.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an upper perspective cutaway view depicts brackets 14 rotated in a synchronized manner to a closed position coordinated by action of sliding cams 46 and 48. Alignment ridge 32 has a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the length of main body 12 and engages in an alignment guide 50 formed in main body 12. The engagement of alignment ridge 32 in alignment guide 50 maintains bracket 14 in a fixed position along the length of main body 12 as helical members 30 rotate within helical guides 44. As a bracket 14 is rotated from the open position of FIG. 7 towards the closed position of FIG. 8, the helical member 30 pushes against sliding cams 46 and 48 forcing sliding cams 46 and 48 to slide towards a central position of main body 12. As cams 46 and 48 slide, engagement with the helical member 30 of the opposing bracket 14 forces rotation of the opposing bracket to maintain a fixed position at main body 12 while sliding cams 46 and 48 move. In the example embodiment, helical guides 44 and helical members 30 act, essentially, as threads of a screw and nut that rotationally engage as brackets 14 rotate. For instance, helical guides 44 and helical members 30 have an angle, also generally referred to as a pitch, of about 45 degrees relative to the axis of rotation. The pitch used for a particular hinge may vary based upon a number of factors, such as the amount of curvature to be defined for folding the display film and the adjustment to the circumference along the fold so that the display film remains stationary as the housing rotates. That is to say, although the example angle of pitch of the helical member and helical guide is approximately 45 degrees, other pitches may be selected based upon system fold angle, thickness, length and width so that the display film folds within acceptable torsional and compressive forces.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a lower perspective cutaway view depicts interactions between helical members 30 and helical guide 44 defined by sliding cams 46 and 48. FIG. 10 depicts an exploded view of hinge assembly 10 with synchronized bracket movement though helical member 30 engagement with helical guides 44. As described above, sliding cams 46 and 48 work cooperatively with helical members 30 so that rotation of one bracket 14 translates to rotation of the opposing bracket 14 in a synchronized manner. Alignment thread 32 engages with hinge main body 12 throughout the rotational range of bracket 14 to maintain bracket 14 in its relative position along main body 12. Force applied across the helical geometries of helical members 30 and helical guide 44 translates to synchronized motion of brackets 14 since rotation is the only unconstrained direction in which brackets 14 can move.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a side perspective view depicts an end of hinge assembly 10 having torque to resist bracket 14 rotation communicated from a torque element 24 through torque arms 26. In the depicted open position, semicircular portions 22 show the rotational path followed by helical members of bracket 14 that are captured within main body 12. Flexible display film supports 20 extend upwards between the semicircular portions 22. Each torque arm 26 rotationally couples to torque element 24, which generates torque to resist rotational movement of torque arm 26. Opposite the rotational coupling to torque element 24, each torque arm 26 engages in a slot 52 of bracket 14 to translate generated torque to work against rotation of bracket 14. In the example embodiment, slot 52 has a nonlinear shape that varies the translation of torque based upon the rotational orientation of brackets 14. In various embodiments, various non-linear configurations may be adapted to increase and/or decrease torque translated from torque element 24 based upon rotational orientation. Alternatively, a linear slot 52 may be used or other types of coupling arrangements that adapt to the different axes of rotation followed by bracket 14 and torque arm 26. For instance, torque arm 26 might co-locate with the rotation axis of semicircular portion 22 so that a rotational coupling is used at bracket 14 instead of slot 52. In such an embodiment, variable torque may be created by torque element 24, such as with selective alignment of friction plates. In an alternative embodiment, torque element 24 may be integrated within bracket 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, a side cutaway view compares a fold region 42 provided by a single axis pivot hinge and a dual axis pivot hinge. In FIG. 12A, a display plane 54 is defined in an open position by brackets 14 that extend over top of hinge assembly 10. Display film supports 20 extend upwards from hinge assembly 10 to substantially align with display plane 54 and offer support to a display film disposed over brackets 14 and across hinge assembly 10. In the closed position, each bracket 14 rotates about one of dual axis 60 and display film supports 20 retract so that additional space is made available under display plane 54 for fold region 42. In contrast, FIG. 12B depicts a single axis pivot hinge having brackets 14 rotating about a common axis at a central location. Display plane 54 remains at the upper surface of the mono-axis hinge assembly 10 in both the folded and unfolded state.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an upper perspective view depicts an alternative embodiment of a dual axis pivot hinge assembly 10 in an open position having bracket 14 motion synchronized by a gear subassembly 56. Hinge assembly 10 brackets 14 each have a gear member 58 that extends out in a semicircular shape with gear teeth exposed at an inner circumference and aligned to engage with gear subassembly 56. A smooth backside of each gear member 58 slides within a semicircular portion 64 to provide a pivot about the rotation axis defined by the semicircular shape. In the open position, brackets 14 support a display film disposed across hinge assembly 10 and the ends of gear members 58 project upwards from a central location of hinge assembly 10 to act as flexible display supports 20 that support the display film across the central portion of hinge assembly 10. Torque element 24 generates torque to resist bracket 14 rotation and translates the torque through torque arms 26.

Referring now to FIG. 14, an upper perspective view depicts the dual axis pivot hinge 10 rotated to a closed position with brackets 14 synchronized by gear subassembly 56. As gear members 58 slide out from semicircular portion 64, the size of fold region 42 increases by withdrawal of display film supports 20 to provide additional space for a flexible display film to fold across hinge assembly 10. The dual pivot motion defined by the separate semicircular portions 64 extends brackets 14 up and away from gear subassembly 56 to adapt to changes in the relative circumference of a display film disposed across separate housing portions that are rotationally coupled by hinge assembly 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 15A and 15B, a side cutaway view depicts a comparison of bracket pivot movement with a dual axis and single axis hinge assembly. FIG. 15A depicts first and second axes 60, each axis defined at a center of rotation of a semicircle portion 64 in which the gear member 58 rotationally slides. The offset distance between the dual axes 60 defines an amount of room in fold region 42 in which a display film may fold. The radius of each semicircular portion 64 defines a depth into which the display film may fold. By adjusting the offset between each dual axes 60 and the radius of each semicircular portion 64 the amount of space for fold region 42 is managed based upon display film characteristics. Additional adjustments may be applied by adding some elliptical shape to the semicircular portion to further define the hinge pivot. In contrast, the single axis pivot hinge depicted by FIG. 15B has a single axis 62 about which both brackets 14 pivot. The central region under axis 62 remains static, thus limiting space within fold region 42 in which a display film may fold.

Referring now to FIG. 16, an exploded perspective view depicts a hinge assembly 10 having a dual axis pivot synchronized by a gear subassembly 58. Each of opposing brackets 14 has a gear member 58 that extends outwards to fit in a semicircular portion 64. Each gear member 58 has a smooth side on an outer circumference surface and a gear side on the inner circumference surface. The smooth side slides within a semicircular portion 64 to rotate bracket 14 from a closed to an open position. The gear side engages with a transfer gear extending out from gear subassembly 56 to translate rotational motion of bracket 14 through gear subassembly 56 to a transfer gear 66 on an opposing side of gear subassembly 56. In turn, rotation of transfer gear 66 transfers rotational movement to the opposing bracket 14 through its gear member 58. An alignment peg 68 inserts into an alignment opening 70 to provide accurate assembly of the hinge main body. The size of gear members 58 provides some extension of the end of gear member 58 out of and above semicircle portion 64 to act as flexible display film supports 20. Torque arms 26 fit in linear slots 52 of each bracket 14 to translate torque from a torque element 24.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a top cutaway view depicts an information handling system 72 having opposing housing portions 74 rotationally coupled by a dual axes pivot hinge assembly 10. Information handling system 72 includes a motherboard 76 in one housing portion 74 that interfaces processing components that cooperate to process information. For instance, a central processing unit (CPU) 82 executes instructions that process information and a random access memory (RAM) 84 stores the instructions and information. In the opposing housing portion 74, a daughterboard 78 supports communication with other processing components and a battery 80 that provides power to operate the processing components. In the example embodiment, power and information communicate between daughterboard 78 and motherboard 76 through flexible cable interfaces 86 that pass through hinge assembly 10. Flexible cable interface 86 houses and guides a flexible cable through hinge assembly 10 to adapt to both rotational movement of hinge assembly 10 but also translational movement as the hinge bracket extends away from the hinge main body in the closed position to provide room for folding of a flexible display film. Flexible cable interface 86 includes a series of inner and outer covers and mylar to provide a spring-type force that aids in cable translation.

Referring now to FIG. 18A, a side cutaway view depicts a flexible cable interface between housing portions 74 and across a hinge assembly 10 rotated to an open position. FIG. 18B depicts an example of copper distribution at a flexible cable that extends across a multi-axis pivot hinge. A flexible cable 88 is captured within hinge assembly 10 to prevent movement that can stress and break the cable material as hinge assembly 10 rotates. Mylar disposed about flexible cable 88 protects conductive material within flexible cable 88 by managing bend angle to at least greater than a minimum bend angle that prevents over stressing of conductive material. Flexible cable 88 follows a path that defines a motion segment 90 where stress results from bending of flexible cable 88. In the motioning segment 90, a copper removal area is defined that improves flexing of flexible cable 88 by reducing stiffness related to copper disposed within the cable, as shown in FIG. 18B. Flexible cable 88 is coupled to each housing portion 74 with a segment fixed by screw 94 or similar fixed coupling device to prevent flexing at the attachment point to the motherboard or daughterboard. Between motioning segment 90 and screw attachment point 94, flexible cable 88 is wrapped in a dual tear drop “S” pattern within each housing portion. Slack evident in flexible cable 88 in the open position as depicted by FIG. 18A adapts to translation of bracket 14 away from main body 12 as the pivot motion defined by engagement of helical members in semicircular portions of hinge assembly 10 provides extension up and away to support the smaller circumference defined for display film 38 in the closed position. The length and fold path of flexible cable 88 may vary based upon the housing size and hinge pivot motion of information handling system 72 so that the fold radius applied to flexible cable 88 does not violate minimum constraints. For instance, in a low Z-height system, the length of the S fold may be increased where less vertical height is available to maintain folding constraints. Further, mylar treatment of flexible cable 88 may be increased where sharper fold curvatures are anticipated. In addition, a roller that physically manages folding of flexible cable 88 may be included to guide the cable's fold path.

Referring now to FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C, a side cutaway view depicts a flexible cable interface response to rotation of a housing portion from the open to a closed position. FIG. 19A depicts flexible cable 88 passing between first and second fixed locations 96 and around a roller 98 that defines a fold curvature for flexible cable 88. In the open position of FIG. 19A, flexible cable 88 forms an S shape with the lower S shape curve following the form of roller 98 to maintain at least a minimum fold radius defined by roller 98. Once rotation about hinge assembly 10 from the closed towards the open position starts, as shown by FIG. 19B, bracket 14 begins to translate upward to unfold flexible cable 88 with roller 98 helping to guide the straightening motion so that flexible cable 88 does not kink. FIG. 19C illustrates that, as hinge assembly 10 achieves the closed position, the fixed location 96 pulls flexible cable 88 straight and away from roller 98, thus avoiding tension and kinks. Once hinge assembly 10 rotates from the closed position of FIG. 19C to the open position of FIG. 19A, roller 98 again engages against flexible cable 88 to guide bending back to the S shape.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for rotationally coupling first and second housing portions, the method comprising:

coupling a first bracket to a first housing portion;
coupling a second bracket to a second housing portion;
inserting a first gear member extending from the first bracket into a first guide of a hinge main body;
inserting a second gear member extending from the second bracket into a second guide of the hinge main body;
rotating the first housing portion relative to the second housing portion; and
translating the rotating to the second housing portion through a gear subassembly of first and second transfer gears and plural intermediate gears rotationally engaging the first and second transfer gears, the first transfer gear coupled with the the first gear member and the second transfer gear coupled with the second gear member, the gear assembly engaged on a first side with the first gear member and on a second side with the second gear member, the first gear member having a semicircular shape rotating about a first axis, the second gear member having a semicircular shape rotating about a second axis, the first and second axes offset to define a fold region.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

engaging gears disposed on an inner circumference of the first and second gear members with gears extending from the gear subassembly; and
sliding a smooth surface of an outer circumference of the first and second gear members within a smooth surface of the first and second guides.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

extending the first and second gear members through and above the hinge main body in an open position of the first and second housing portions;
retracting the first and second gear members within the hinge main body in a closed position of the first and second housing portions.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first gear member, second gear member and gear subassembly form a planetary gear having the ends of the first and second gear members aligned to extend upwards on opposite sides of the gear subassembly.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

disposing a flexible display film over the first and second housing portions and the hinge main body; and
folding the flexible display film into the fold region in response to rotation of the first and second housing portions from an open to a closed position.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

coupling a torque element to an end of the main body;
coupling a first torque arm from the torque element to a first slot of the first bracket;
coupling a second torque arm from the torque element to a second slot of the second bracket;
rotating the brackets relative to the torque element; and
in response to the rotating, translating torque from the torque element to the first and second brackets through the first and second torque arms.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

forming the first and second slots to have a non-linear path; and
varying torque applied to the first and second bracket based upon the non-linear path followed through changes in rotational orientations.

8. A hinge comprising:

a main body having a gear subassembly, a first semicircular portion on one side of the gear subassembly aligned with a first axis and a second semicircular portion on the other side of the gear subassembly aligned with a second axis, the first and second semicircular portions having a smooth surface, the first and second axes offset from each other, the gear subassembly having a first transfer gear aligned with the first axis, a second transfer gear aligned with the second axis and plural gears that translate rotation of the first transfer gear to the second transfer gear;
a first bracket having a first gear member, the first gear member having a semicircular shape with gear teeth exposed at an inner circumference and a smooth outer circumference that slidingly engages the main body first semicircular portion; and
a second bracket having a second gear member, the second gear member having a semicircular shape with gear teeth exposed at an inner circumference and a smooth outer circumference that slidingly engages the main body second semicircular portion;
wherein rotation of the first bracket translates to the second bracket through engagement of the first and second bracket gear member gear teeth with the gear subassembly first and second transfer gears.

9. The hinge of claim 8 wherein the offset of the first and second axes defines a fold region to accept a flexible display fold in a closed position.

10. The hinge of claim 8 further comprising:

a torque element coupled to an end of the main body;
a first torque arm coupled between the torque element and the first bracket to apply torque to the first bracket in resistance to rotation of the first bracket; and
a second torque arm coupled between the torque element and the second bracket to apply torque to the second bracket in resistance to rotation of the second bracket.

11. The hinge of claim 8 wherein the first and second gear members extend up over the main body on opposing sides of the gear subassembly when the brackets rotate to an open position and retract within the main body when the brackets rotate to a closed position.

Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
6122166 September 19, 2000 Mochizuki et al.
6212069 April 3, 2001 Janik et al.
6811491 November 2, 2004 Levenberg et al.
7281338 October 16, 2007 Ziegmann et al.
8228667 July 24, 2012 Ma
8249452 August 21, 2012 Biegert et al.
8419541 April 16, 2013 Mao
9539507 January 10, 2017 Schoenith et al.
9818961 November 14, 2017 Hiroki et al.
9857833 January 2, 2018 Morrison et al.
9918395 March 13, 2018 Harmon et al.
10036188 July 31, 2018 Yao
10082839 September 25, 2018 Turchin et al.
10101772 October 16, 2018 Aurongzeb et al.
10120421 November 6, 2018 Hong et al.
10231347 March 12, 2019 Seo et al.
10303218 May 28, 2019 Jones et al.
10317934 June 11, 2019 Hampton et al.
10344510 July 9, 2019 Siddiqui et al.
10345858 July 9, 2019 Han et al.
10352354 July 16, 2019 Hsu et al.
10480227 November 19, 2019 Chen
10550880 February 4, 2020 Hsu
10664021 May 26, 2020 Hsu
10802549 October 13, 2020 Quinn et al.
10817082 October 27, 2020 Yildiz et al.
11516931 November 29, 2022 Kim
20040235566 November 25, 2004 Hussaini et al.
20070097014 May 3, 2007 Solomon et al.
20080132286 June 5, 2008 Sohn et al.
20100282932 November 11, 2010 Ong et al.
20110063783 March 17, 2011 Shim et al.
20130257793 October 3, 2013 Zeliff et al.
20140042293 February 13, 2014 Mok
20140267078 September 18, 2014 Kukulski et al.
20140375660 December 25, 2014 Tamaki
20150062525 March 5, 2015 Hirakata
20150177789 June 25, 2015 Jinbo
20150229844 August 13, 2015 Yamazaki et al.
20160014914 January 14, 2016 Stroetmann
20160097227 April 7, 2016 Hsu
20160132074 May 12, 2016 Kim et al.
20160293102 October 6, 2016 Chaji
20170006725 January 5, 2017 Ahn et al.
20170061836 March 2, 2017 Kim et al.
20170108928 April 20, 2017 Clements et al.
20170272559 September 21, 2017 Cavallaro
20180059866 March 1, 2018 Drake et al.
20180074636 March 15, 2018 Lee et al.
20180088738 March 29, 2018 Barsness et al.
20180125352 May 10, 2018 Schmid et al.
20180164854 June 14, 2018 Wood et al.
20180173407 June 21, 2018 Kim
20180294427 October 11, 2018 Lee
20180324964 November 8, 2018 Yoo et al.
20190018458 January 17, 2019 Turchin et al.
20190045094 February 7, 2019 Fletcher et al.
20190114070 April 18, 2019 Youn
20190131553 May 2, 2019 Park et al.
20190163320 May 30, 2019 Park et al.
20190163343 May 30, 2019 Ligameri et al.
20190166703 May 30, 2019 Kim et al.
20190212785 July 11, 2019 Choi et al.
20190243424 August 8, 2019 Lee et al.
20190245955 August 8, 2019 Lee
20190259351 August 22, 2019 Yoon et al.
20190274227 September 5, 2019 Hsu et al.
20190286200 September 19, 2019 Ho et al.
20190350081 November 14, 2019 Park et al.
20190350096 November 14, 2019 Chao
20200117245 April 16, 2020 Ou et al.
20200166971 May 28, 2020 Lee et al.
20200196461 June 18, 2020 Shin
20200225699 July 16, 2020 Yu et al.
20200225710 July 16, 2020 Pelissier et al.
20200225711 July 16, 2020 Pelissier et al.
20200233466 July 23, 2020 Sanchez et al.
20200264673 August 20, 2020 Kim
20200291702 September 17, 2020 Hsu et al.
20200319672 October 8, 2020 Kim et al.
20200329574 October 15, 2020 Lee
20200333835 October 22, 2020 Wi et al.
20200371561 November 26, 2020 Lin
20200383215 December 3, 2020 Kim et al.
20200392983 December 17, 2020 Chang et al.
20200401193 December 24, 2020 Hsu
20200409427 December 31, 2020 Hsu
20200409428 December 31, 2020 Wang et al.
20200409429 December 31, 2020 Hsu
20200409431 December 31, 2020 Fan
20200413557 December 31, 2020 Zhang
20210011513 January 14, 2021 Watamura
20210018963 January 21, 2021 Pelissier et al.
20210026406 January 28, 2021 Kim et al.
20210034116 February 4, 2021 Torres et al.
20210034117 February 4, 2021 Torres et al.
20210149456 May 20, 2021 Pelissier et al.
20210191478 June 24, 2021 Mehandjiysky et al.
20210195775 June 24, 2021 Zhao
20210207414 July 8, 2021 Wong et al.
20210243908 August 5, 2021 Park
20210311523 October 7, 2021 Bai et al.
20210355988 November 18, 2021 Cheng
20210373609 December 2, 2021 Kim
20220046813 February 10, 2022 Cheng
20220086265 March 17, 2022 Shang
Foreign Patent Documents
108079576 May 2018 CN
110007784 July 2019 CN
2017220185 December 2017 JP
20150056066 May 2015 KR
Other references
  • Nintendo, “Switch,” downloaded from https://www.nintendo.com/switch/system/, Feb. 26, 2020, 5 pages.
Patent History
Patent number: 11907027
Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 19, 2021
Date of Patent: Feb 20, 2024
Patent Publication Number: 20220035422
Assignee: Dell Products L.P. (Round Rock, TX)
Inventors: Christopher A. Torres (San Marcos, TX), Kevin M. Turchin (Cedar Park, TX), Enoch Chen (Wenshan District), Anthony J. Sanchez (Pflugerville, TX), Kai-Cheng Chao (Taipei), Chia-Hao Hsu (Taipei), Chia-Huang Chan (Taipei)
Primary Examiner: Chuck Y Mah
Application Number: 17/505,363
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Article Carried (248/682)
International Classification: E05D 3/06 (20060101); E05D 7/00 (20060101); G06F 1/16 (20060101); G09F 9/30 (20060101);